How To - Frequently Asked Questions

How To

How do I adjust volume during a call?

When you're on a call or listening to voicemail on your iPhone, you might not be able to hear a person's voice clearly. Or you might hear crackling, static, or generally poor sound quality. Learn what to do.

iPhone Volume and Receiver

Turn up the volume

While you're on a call, adjust the volume with the volume buttons. Make sure that you can see the volume indicator on the screen when you press the volume buttons.

Check the connections

If your iPhone is connected to a headset, you won't be able to hear through the iPhone receiver or using speakerphone. Follow these steps, testing after each.

Make sure that you don't have anything plugged into the headphone jack or the dock connector.

Go to Settings > Bluetooth and turn off Bluetooth.

Clear the receiver

The iPhone receiver won't work properly if it's blocked or dirty.

Follow these steps, testing after each:

Make sure nothing is blocking the receiver, such as a case or screen protector. If you have a new iPhone, remove the plastic film on the front and back of the device.

Check the receiver opening to see if it's blocked or dirty. If necessary, clean the receiver opening with a small, soft-bristled brush. Make sure that the brush is clean and dry.

While you're on a call, turn on speakerphone. If you still can't hear, then your network or reception could be the issue. Try calling again later or from a different location.

Adjust Volume during a Call ANDROID

The most direct way to adjust volume while on an active call is with the Volume keys on the side of your device.

You can also increase the overall volume level during a call.

Touch Hide to hide the keypad, if necessary.

Touch More options.

Mark the checkbox next to Extra volume.

If the volume level is still not satisfactory, you can turn off noise reduction.

From the Home screen, touch Apps.

Touch Phone.

Touch More options > Settings.

Touch Call.

Scroll to and unmark the checkbox next to Noise reduction to turn it off.

If you back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you’ll have a copy of your information to use in case your device is ever replaced, lost, or damaged.

Choose a backup method

Before you get started, learn the difference between making backups with iCloud and iTunes and choose the method that's best for you. In case you ever need an alternative backup, you can make one in iCloud and another in iTunes.

How to back up with iCloud

Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network.

Go to Settings > [your name], and tap iCloud. If you’re using iOS 10.2 or earlier, go to Settings, then scroll down and tap iCloud.

Tap iCloud Backup. If you're using iOS 10.2 or earlier, tap Backup. Make sure that iCloud Backup is turned on.

Tap Back Up Now. Stay connected to your Wi-Fi network until the process completes.

Make sure that the backup finished: Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Storage > Manage Storage, then select your device. If you’re using iOS 10.2 or earlier, go to Settings > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage, then select your device. The backup should appear in the details with the time and backup size.

Automatically back up with iCloud Backup

To let iCloud automatically back up your device each day, here's what you need to do:

Check that you have enough available space in iCloud for the backup. When you sign in to iCloud, you get 5GB of iCloud storage for free. If you need more iCloud storage, you can buy more from your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. Plans start at 50GB for $0.99 (USD) a month.

If a message asks for your device passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the onscreen steps. If you forgot your passcode, get help.

Select your iPhone, iPad, or iPod when it appears in iTunes. If your device doesn't appear in iTunes, learn what to do.

If you want to save Health and Activity data from your iOS device or Apple Watch, you need to encrypt your backup: Select the box called Encrypt [device] backup and create a memorable password. If you forget this password there is NO way to retrieve it. Make sure and write it down.

After the process ends, you can see if your backup finished successfully in iTunes Preferences > Devices. (If you're using iTunes for Windows, choose Edit > Preferences > Devices from the menu bar at the top of the iTunes window.) You should see the name of your device with the date and time that iTunes created the backup. If you encrypted your backup, you should also see beside the name of your device.

Turn on your device. You should see a Hello screen. If you already set up your device, you need to erase all of its content before you can use these steps to restore from your backup.

Follow the onscreen setup steps until you reach the Apps & Data screen, then tap Restore from iCloud Backup.

Sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID.

Choose a backup. Look at the date and size of each and pick the most relevant. After you choose, the transfer starts. If a message says that a newer version of iOS is required, follow the onscreen steps to update (If you don't see onscreen steps to help you update, learn what to do).

When asked, sign in to your Apple ID account to restore your apps and purchases (If you've purchased iTunes or App Store content using multiple Apple IDs, you'll be asked to sign in to each). If you can’t remember your password, you can tap Skip this Step and sign in later.

Stay connected and wait for a progress bar to appear and complete. Depending on the size of the backup and the network speed, the progress bar might need a few minutes to an hour to complete. If you disconnect from Wi-Fi too soon, the progress will pause until you reconnect.

Now you can finish setup and enjoy your device. Content like your apps, photos, music, and other information will continue to restore in the background for the next several hours or days, depending on the amount of information there is. Try to connect often to Wi-Fi and power to let the process complete.

Restore your device from an iTunes backup

Open iTunes on the Mac or PC that you used to back up your device.

Connect your device to your computer with a USB cable. If a message asks for your device passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the onscreen steps. If you forgot your passcode, get help.

Select your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when it appears in iTunes. If your device doesn't appear in iTunes, learn what to do.

Select Restore Backup in iTunes. If a message says that your iOS device's software is too old, learn what to do.

Look at the date and size of each backup and pick the most relevant.

Click Restore and wait for the restore time to finish. If asked, enter the password for your encrypted backup.

Keep your device connected after it restarts and wait for it to sync with your computer. You can disconnect after the sync finishes.

To see how long each app has been open and running in the background, tap. Under each app, you might see these usage types:

Background Activity means that your battery is used while apps run in the background.

Audio means that apps play audio while running in the background.

No Cell Coverage and Low Signal means that your device is searching for a signal or being used with a low signal.

Backup & Restore indicates that your device has been backing up to iCloud or restoring from an iCloud backup.

Location and Background Location means that your battery was used when tracking your device.

Adjust settings to improve battery life:

While viewing your battery usage, you might get a suggestion like Enable Auto-Brightness or Adjust Display Brightness. This is because iOS determined that changing these settings could improve your battery life. You can also see the usage times since the last full charge

When you use your device to access data, a Wi-Fi connection uses less power than a cellular network — so keep Wi-Fi on at all times. There are two ways to turn on Wi-Fi:

Swipe up to open Control Center, tap the Wi-Fi icon, and log in to a Wi-Fi network.

Go to Settings > Wi-Fi to access a Wi-Fi network.

Android:

View the Battery Status:

From the Home screen, touch Apps.

Touch Settings.

Scroll to and touch Battery.

The Battery status displays the percentage of battery power remaining and how long you might expect that power to last. Touch BATTERY USAGE to see which processes were running since your device was last fully charged.

Touch the name of a process or application to see its use details.

On the Use details screen, you can close the application by touching FORCE STOP.

Reduce Battery Consumption:

Your device provides options that help you conserve battery power. By customizing these options and turning off features in the background, you can use the device longer between charges:

Turn off the Bluetooth® feature.

Turn off Wi-Fi®.

Turn off the GPS service.

Turn off the mobile data connection.

Turn off auto-syncing of accounts.

Discontinue use of Live wallpapers.

Decrease the backlight time (timeout settings).

Decrease the brightness of the display, or use automatic brightness.

Best Practices for Battery Charging:

The following guidelines can help you charge your battery properly and safely:

Verify that you are using the Samsung USB/charging cable and wall charger included with your device, and not third-party accessories.

Ensure the USB/charging cable is connected securely and is not being blocked by a cover or case.

Check whether a battery or charging indicator appears on the device's display when the USB/charging cable is plugged in.

Charge using a wall outlet, not a computer, for best results.

When the battery is fully charged, disconnect the device from the USB/charging cable.

Turn On Power Saving Mode:

Power saving mode conserves battery power by limiting CPU performance, reducing screen brightness, and turning off the touch key light and vibration feedback. You can turn on Power saving mode manually, or you can set your device to go into Power saving mode automatically.

From the Home screen, touch Apps.

Touch Settings.

Scroll to and touch Battery.

Touch Power saving mode.

Touch the slider off to turn Power saving mode on.

Touch Start power saving and choose when you want Power saving mode to take effect.

How do I block a number?

iPhone:

To block a number, from the home screen, select Phone.

Select Recent.

Select the Info icon 'i' next to the contact or phone number you want to block.

Note: You cannot block an Unknown Caller (No Caller ID), but you can turn on 'Do Not Disturb' manually and set it to 'Only allow calls from your contacts list'. The call blocking feature may not affect phone calls made or received via third party apps installed on your device. Please contact third party app developers for assistance with such applications.

Scroll to the bottom of the Info screen and then select Block this Caller.

Select Block Contact.

To unblock, select Unblock this Caller.

You can see the contacts and phone numbers that you've blocked in Settings under Phone > Call Blocking & Identification. You can also add a new Block Contact and Edit (Unblock) numbers from within Settings.

Android:

When in the Phone app, tap the more options icon (how to block phone calls on your android smartphone more options 3 dots) next to the microphone. Then, select Settings > Call Blocking and add the number you want to block. You can also go to Call history or Recent calls and tap the number you want to block, then select Block. Here, you can also Report call as spam.

From the Messenger app

Long press a contact within the Messages app, and tap the block icon (how to block phone calls on your android smartphone 1484896994 cancel 2) in the upper-right corner. You can also tap the more options icon (how to block phone calls on your android smartphone more options 3 dots) next to magnifying glass, select Settings > Call blocking, and add the number you want to block.

From the call log

From the call log, you can disable incoming calls from specific numbers. Select the number you want to block, then hit More or the 3-dot menu icon in the upper right corner and choose Add to reject list. This will disable incoming calls from specific numbers.

From your contacts list

If there’s a particularly persistent relative, friend, or ex whose number you’ve saved, blocking them’s a cinch. Just pull up your contacts, select the person you’d like to block, and hit the little button in the right-hand corner that looks like a pencil. Then, tap the 3-dot menu icon in the upper right corner and check the box next to All Calls to Voicemail. That contact’s calls will now be directed to your carrier’s voice inbox.

BLOCKING CALLS ON A SAMSUNG PHONE

Select the Phone icon on the home screen, tap More at the top right, and then tap Settings. You’ll find Call blocking or Call rejection listed here and you can manage the numbers on your Block list or Auto reject list. You can also set up automatic Call-reject messages if you want to.

You can also block numbers from your call log. Open up Phone > Log and tap on a number or contact, then tap More > Block settings and you’ll get the option to turn on Call block and Message block.

How do I set up Call Forwarding?

iPhone:

To set up call forwarding follow these steps:

Settings> Phone> Call forwarding> Toggle on> Forward to> enter a one and the full phone number with area code

With iPhone you can only forward all calls.

Android:

To set up call forwarding follow these steps:

Click on the phone icon

Click the three dots in the upper right corner

Click Settings

Click more settings

Click Call Forwarding

Click Voice Call

To forward all calls Click Always forward

Enter a one and the full phone number with area code

Forward when busy/ Forward when unanswered/ Forward when unreachable are used for Voicemail

How do I set up a mobile hotspot?

iPhone:

Use your device as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot to share your data connection with Wi-Fi-capable devices such as: smartphones, tablets, netbooks, MP3 players, and more. From the home screen, select Settings.

Select Personal Hotspot.

Select the Personal Hotspot toggle to turn the mobile hotspot on.

To change the personal hotspot's password, select Wi-Fi Password.

Change the password as desired, then select Done.

To change the network name, from the home screen, select Settings > General > About. Select the first line, which displays the name of your device. Rename your device using the on-screen keyboard, then select Done.

Select Personal Hotspot toggle to turn the hotspot off.

When devices are connected to the Hotspot Wi-Fi network, 'Personal Hotspot' and the number of devices connected will display in the notifications bar.

Android:

Turn On the Mobile Hotspot:

From the Home screen, navigate to Apps > Settings.

Touch Mobile HotSpot and Tethering.

Touch Mobile Hotspot.

Touch the slider to turn Mobile Hotspot on.

If you are using the hotspot for the first time, enter the password that connecting devices will use to access your hotspot and then touch SAVE.

If you are connected to a wireless access point, you will be disconnected before you can turn on the hotspot. Touch OK to continue.

Configure the Mobile Hotspot:

From the Home screen, navigate to Apps > Settings.

Touch Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.

Touch Mobile Hotspot.

Touch More > Configure Mobile Hotspot.

Enter or edit the Network name, set your Broadcast network name (SSID) preference, select the Security type, and enter or edit the Password.

Mark the Show advanced options checkbox to configure the Broadcast channel, Maximum connections, and Timeout settings.

Touch SAVE to continue. The hotspot will turn off and turn back on with the newly configured settings.

Connect to the Mobile Hotspot:

To connect to your hotspot from another device:

Turn on the Wi-Fi feature on the device you want to connect to your hotspot.

Search for your hotspot using the network name shown in the Configure Mobile HotSpot screen, and enter the necessary information.

USB Tethering:

Your mobile device can be used as a wireless modem to share its mobile data connection with a single computer.

Connect your device to your computer using the supplied USB cable.

From the Home screen, navigate to Apps > Settings.

Touch Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.

Touch the slider to turn USB tethering on.

What is Apple iCloud?

iCloud connects you and your Apple devices in amazing ways. It makes sure you always have the latest versions of your important information like documents, photos, notes, and contacts on whatever device you’re using. It lets you easily share photos, calendars, locations, and more with friends and family. It even helps you find your device if you lose it.

Learn more from Apple website: https://support.apple.com/icloud

To turn on iCloud and select the features you want to use, from the home screen, select Settings.

Select iCloud.

Enter your Apple ID and Password, then select Sign In.

https://support.apple.com/apple-id

Find My iPhone will be enabled to allow you to locate, lock, or erase your iPhone. Select OK.

https://support.apple.com/explore/find-my-iphone-ipad-mac-watch

Select the toggle button next to each item to turn iCloud synchronization on or off as desired.

To enable automatic downloads for your music, apps, and books, from the Home screen select Settings > iTunes and App Store.

Sign in to iCloud.com on your Mac or PC to access anything you store in the cloud, settings for your account, and more.

If you have two-factor authentication enabled for your Apple ID, you can reset your password from any trusted iPhone, iPad, Pod touch, or Mac with a password or passcode that's enabled. Can't access any of your devices?

Need help with the previous step? You might not be signed in to iCloud. Open Settings and tap "Sign in to your [device]" > "Don’t have an Apple ID or forgot it," then follow the onscreen steps. For iOS 10.2 or earlier, tap iCloud > Forgot Apple ID or Password, then follow the onscreen steps.